Russian football fans request "no gays or blacks"

The coach of a leading Russian football team has described a
request from a supportersâ€™ club that no gay or black players be signed as â€śstupidityâ€ť.

The Zenit St Petersburg supporters' group Landscrona said in
an open-letter that black players are "forced down Zenit's throat"
and gay players are "unworthy of our great city".

Zenit's Italian head coach, Luciano Spalletti described the
supporters' call as "stupidity", saying "tolerance for me is
most of all the ability to understand and accept differences".

He added: "I can personally assure you that I will do
everything I can to help those who seek to explain to people what tolerance is,
and the need to respect other cultures and traditions.

"I think that Zenit has proven through its work that
the club understands what tolerance is, and what it means to have tolerant
behaviour. The team has gathered players from different countries and ethnic
groups who work together to achieve a common goal."